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Public International Law builds upon the knowledge and skills developed in first-year law courses to offer an international dimension to the study of law. The course encourages students to understand public international law – and its relevance to Australian domestic law – by learning about its sources, principles and institutions, with specific applications of human rights law.

Public International Law develops an understanding of the sources, principles and institutions of international law, with specific applications of international human rights law. The course explores fundamental concepts such as the nature and sources of international law and the international legal system, the relationship between international and domestic law, criteria for statehood, state personality, jurisdiction and responsibility, and the use of force. It provides a broad introduction to international human rights law, the law of the sea and international environmental law.

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding [explain and apply] of a coherent body of knowledge [relevant to public international law], and underlying principles and concepts; the broader contexts within which legal issues arise [in this area]; (PO1/TLO1).
2. Identify and articulate legal issues [relevant to public international law]; [comprehend legal and other materials]; apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses to legal issues; engage in critical analysis and make a reasoned choice amongst alternatives; and think creatively in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses (PO3/TLO3).
3. Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research in an ethical manner, evaluate and synthesise factual, legal and policy issues [relevant to public international law] (PO4/TLO4).
4. Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences (PO5/TLO5).
5. Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and make use of feedback as appropriate, to support personal and professional development (PO6/TLO6).
6. Identify applicable legislation [treaties and other sources of international law], and understand [explain and apply] and make appropriate use of authorised aids to statutory interpretation, and deploy appropriate techniques in the course of solving interpretative problems (PO7).